RFP alert: New York State announces over $37 million for cleantech business accelerators

New York State is putting over $37 million into a new program meant to help clean energy startups grow, not into rebates or incentives homeowners can apply for directly. The money, run by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will fund "accelerators" — programs that give startups training, mentoring and money as they develop new clean energy products. The idea is that more of these companies succeed and eventually bring new technology and lower costs to consumers.

Right now, NYSERDA is accepting proposals from businesses, nonprofits, and research groups that want to run these accelerators, not from homeowners or individual startups. Up to $8.4 million will go toward an accelerator for very early-stage companies, and up to $11.6 million for one focused on companies closer to bringing a first product to market. Proposals are due December 2, 2026, with a public webinar on the program October 16, 2026. The startups and companies themselves won't be able to apply for support until these accelerators open in early 2027.

This news doesn't change what's available to you if you're planning a home energy upgrade today. But it's a sign the state continues investing heavily in clean energy, alongside other recent moves like a $200 million boost to New York's NY-Sun solar incentive program in the 2027 state budget. If you're in New York and watching for new technology or future rebate programs, this accelerator funding is part of the pipeline that could eventually lead to new products or options, though nothing from this announcement is available to apply for yet.